Holiday drive encourages giving for children, families in need

The Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District will again support the local community this holiday season, collecting donations for the St. Mary’s Home for Boys, selected families within the district, and the Oregon Food Bank.

Starting Dec. 2 and running through Dec. 20, THPRD centers and administrative facilities will each have a giving tree with tags specifying items in need, ranging from toys and clothing to gift cards for gas or utility assistance. Gifts will be distributed to residents of St. Mary’s as well as families living within THPRD boundaries.

The families were chosen with help from the Christmas Family Adoption Foundation, the Good Neighbor Center, and Innovative Housing. St. Mary’s staff have identified specific needs of boys who live at the facility.

Donated items should be new and unwrapped.

“The need in our community is substantial,” said Doug Menke, THPRD general manager. “We invite our patrons to join with our employees to provide those in need with a happier holiday.”

THPRD will also collect non-perishable food donations for the Oregon Food Bank-Washington County, located in Beaverton. Admission to any Park District drop-in program will be waived this Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 29-30 and Dec. 1) with a donation of two non-perishable food items.

Examples of drop-in activities include open swim, lap swim, family swim, pickup basketball and volleyball, cardio rooms, and weight rooms.

Donations will be accepted at the following Park District locations:

• Aloha Swim Center: 18650 SW Kinnaman Road, Aloha
• Beaverton Swim Center: 12850 SW Third Street, Beaverton
• Cedar Hills Recreation Center: 11640 SW Park Way, Portland
• Conestoga Recreation & Aquatic Center: 9995 SW 125th Avenue, Beaverton
• Elsie Stuhr Center: 5550 SW Hall Blvd, Beaverton
• Garden Home Recreation Center: 7475 SW Oleson Road, Portland
• Harman Swim Center: 7300 SW Scholls Ferry Road, Beaverton
• Sunset Swim Center: 13707 NW Science Park Drive, Portland
• Tualatin Hills Aquatic Center: 15707 SW Walker Road, Beaverton
• Tualatin Hills Athletic Center: 50 NW 158th Avenue, Beaverton
• Tualatin Hills Nature Park Interpretive Center (no drop-in programs): 15655 SW Millikan Way, Beaverton
• Tualatin Hills Tennis Center: 15707 SW Walker Road, Beaverton
• THPRD Administration Office (no drop-in programs): 15707 SW Walker Road, Beaverton
• Fanno Creek Service Center, 6220 SW 112th Avenue, Beaverton

About THPRD

Formed in 1955, THPRD is the largest special park district in Oregon, spanning about 50 square miles and serving 230,000 residents in the greater Beaverton area. The district provides year-round recreational opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. Offerings include thousands of widely diverse classes, 90 park sites with active recreational amenities, 60 miles of trails, eight swim centers, six recreation centers, and 1,400 acres of natural areas. For more information, visit www.thprd.org or call 503/645-6433.